umesh 336 Posted October 20, 2016 Maybe a bit conversational but here goes ! I have no problem in everyone knowing who i am , name, dealer etc etc .. I just feel sometimes I see various posts and would be good to know more about the person/dealer/area /stock profile etc etc to give me better understanding about that dealer , I click on the name - , when it goes to profile nothing more ! So i'm none the wiser about who that person is or about their business ! If the full details were on there I'm sure we could possibly help each other more as we would understand each others businesses more , not only that but if I'd sold a car in a certain area had an issue with the car one of the trusted fellow dealers could help out - visa versa ! Just a thought ? what do YOU all think? umesh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) I'll go first then... Unsurprisingly i'm Grant and run a forecourt. I came from a totally different sales sector and it's also the first time I have run a business but it's going really well. 12 months in and I think I have learnt a lot...finance props, buying right, PDIs, cashflow control, liasing with a mostly helpful garage and the all important bit SELLING! So much more to learn so i'll be picking your brains regularly and asking mostly stupid schoolboy questions no doubt! Edited October 20, 2016 by grant8064 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ocsltd 133 Posted October 20, 2016 11 minutes ago, grant8064 said: I'll go first then... Unsurprisingly i'm Grant and run a forecourt in the south east with my brother in law. I came from a totally different sales sector and only learnt to drive a couple of months before we opened for business just over a year ago (nothing like a bit of pressure to help you pass). It's also the first time either of us have run a business ourselves but it's going really well. 12 months in and I think I have learnt a lot...finance props, buying right, PDIs, cashflow control, liasing with a mostly helpful garage and the all important bit SELLING! So much more to learn so i'll be picking your brains regularly and asking mostly stupid schoolboy questions no doubt! What's the name of your business / garage. I already guessed you were called Grant! Lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted October 20, 2016 3 minutes ago, Ocsltd said: What's the name of your business / garage. I already guessed you were called Grant! Lol PM'd you 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted October 20, 2016 Good topic. I'm Mike. Been in the trade since the early '90s. Two divorces and I've been a single parent for nearly 20yrs, which has been more of a struggle than work to be fair. Working from home these days, given up empire building I've often wondered if this forum needs a 'lounge' or 'off topic' for socialising. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M.J 35 Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) Maybe an admin could have a look into making a private section of the forum. I'm sure a lot of us would like to share certain info but at the moment anybody can browse this forum, including our customers. Some of our posts are showing up in the Google results when searching for some or our dealership names. Edited October 20, 2016 by M.J 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted October 20, 2016 12 minutes ago, M.J said: Maybe an admin could have a look into making a private section of the forum. I'm sure a lot of us would like to share certain info but at the moment anybody can browse this forum, including our customers. Some of our posts are showing up in the Google results when searching for some or our dealership names. Good idea IMO 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ocsltd 133 Posted October 20, 2016 6 minutes ago, Rory RSC said: Good idea IMO Yeah I agree. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 164 Posted October 20, 2016 Somebody message James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted October 21, 2016 7 hours ago, Tom said: Somebody message James Hopefully James will be on the ball and making changes as I type this ... ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil H 124 Posted October 21, 2016 1 hour ago, sparky said: I'm spartacus. the balloon monster 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted November 3, 2016 Hello... finally caught up on this one. I'll look into the private members area. We've got something similar for the Trade Cars To Sell section. How would we grant access to this new Lounge and who would we let in - that's the question. Your thoughts on that front would be welcomed. Happy to help set it up but I think there needs to be some sort of criteria for entry... I'll be listening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M.J 35 Posted November 3, 2016 For the people that would like to join the private area maybe they would have to message you their dealer details, web, contact number, etc to confirm they are genuine traders. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted November 3, 2016 Level system someone that posts, contributes actually sells cars rather than thinking about doing so. you can soon sort the genuine members who post and contribute regularly. Someone could have 100 posts full of nonsense might not be in whereas someone with 20 straight talking useful posts could be in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted November 4, 2016 Adding to the above, they must also suffer from insomnia and high blood pressure, work more hours than a junior doctor and of course, have a drink problem. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted November 4, 2016 How about we do it the same as the Buy & Sell section - a copy of your trade insurance to prove you're a dealer gets you access? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M.J 35 Posted November 4, 2016 Is a copy of a motor trade certificate really proof that the person is a full time trading motor dealer? There are lots of part timers, students, etc who are knocking out a few cars from home who can supply a trade certificate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted November 4, 2016 5 hours ago, James Baggott said: How about we do it the same as the Buy & Sell section - a copy of your trade insurance to prove you're a dealer gets you access? This is sensible and 'realistic'. I can't see the point of endless security requirements just to talk about selling cars? We're not opening a bank account? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umesh 336 Posted November 4, 2016 32 minutes ago, M.J said: Is a copy of a motor trade certificate really proof that the person is a full time trading motor dealer? There are lots of part timers, students, etc who are knocking out a few cars from home who can supply a trade certificate. I think it's got to be the 'sheepskin jacket and original glass's guide ' [ Other guides are available ] !! Joking apart its got to be 'closed' account for bonafida dealers only ! On TCD Everyone dealer is checked out to ensure they are who they say they are or else they don't get on on the forum ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M.J 35 Posted November 4, 2016 35 minutes ago, metcars said: This is sensible and 'realistic'. I can't see the point of endless security requirements just to talk about selling cars? We're not opening a bank account? Fair enough, just suppose it depends on how open you would like people to be in that section of the forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metcars 397 Posted November 4, 2016 We've had this discussion before. We were all 'new' once and just because somebody is just starting out doesn't mean they aren't "bonafida". Plenty of home traders been working for 30yrs+, plenty of experts with 250k startups fail in 12 months? Who is worthy? 46 minutes ago, M.J said: Fair enough, just suppose it depends on how open you would like people to be in that section of the forum. I'm quite happy to talk to newbies or empire builders. It's private individuals and customer/punters that I don't want to have access. Talking about selling cars to other guys that sell cars is not in itself highly secretive. This forum needs to decide if its happy to support new business or just look after "the old guard". 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Baggott 227 Posted November 4, 2016 I always wanted this forum to be open to all. But understand the benefits of a closed area. Perhaps I check each person out who wants to be part of the closed area personally and that way we allow the right people access. However, would that make the open forum redundant? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daylight 28 Posted November 4, 2016 11 minutes ago, James Baggott said: I always wanted this forum to be open to all. But understand the benefits of a closed area. Perhaps I check each person out who wants to be part of the closed area personally and that way we allow the right people access. However, would that make the open forum redundant? Yes maybe a little. I don't know about the rest of the weirdos in here but I would be happy if the whole forum were closed to dealers only, after all it's a car dealer forum for car dealers surely? I'm sure none of us have anything to hide (??) but at the same time, some of what we discuss could look very different to the public, who have no idea what's involved in this god awful trade we love so dearly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Bush 95 Posted November 5, 2016 I used to post on here a bit but after a customer pointed out one of my posts to me I stopped. I agree as it's a dealer forum any tom or dick shouldnt be able to read it, a few trade secrets are given here which after a simple google search a customer could read. I personally think a few more would join if it were closed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
